Silicone Valley ready and able
SILICONE VALLEY has a clear chance of registering his first win for ten months in the Carl Greaves Brokers Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.
The seven-year-old has had some well documented problems but he has plenty of ability – enough to take second in the Merchants and fifth in the Queen’s Plate – and, although he has to give weight all round, he is suited by the trip and the conditions.
If this was a handicap he would be meeting his seven rivals on much more disadvantageous terms and his recent form is good.
True, he has been done no favours by the draw but Piet Botha is riding well and should be able to overcome this.
Second top-rated Heartland has been disappointing and Catkin, possibly at his best over this trip, looks the main threat.
Turbulent Air is on the upgrade but he was raised six points for last time’s half-length mile win and it remains to be seen whether this was fully warranted.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe returns after a five-week absence and has a big chance of kicking off with a winner on Eternal Night in the Test Kitchen Maiden.
The Eric Sands four-year-old is rated 3.5kg inferior to Tough Love but only gives her 2kg whereas the weight-forage scale says she should be conceding 7kg. Not surprisingly, the sahorseracing computer says Fayd’Herbe’s mount will score convincingly.
Bid Before Sunset
However preference is for Tough Love’s stable companion Bid Before Sunset who really caught the eye on debut last month. She was an unconsidered 20-1 shot (despite having Callan Murray in the irons), lost two lengths at the gate and a fair bit more as the more experienced left her wondering what it was all about.
She ran on really well from a long way back to take second to It Is What It Is with Tough Love a length and three-quarters further back. The experience will have really brought her on and Grant van Niekerk’s mount now looks the one they all have to beat, Eternal Night included.
Five-year-old Quarllo has a similar weight for age advantage in the opening Perpetua House Maiden but Photocopy finished just in front of him on debut and should be able to confirm the form with that experience under his belt. Indeed the computer predicts victory for Sihle Cele’s mount.
However it may be worth taking a chance with Victorious Captain who has some good form to his name and has been running well. He is well drawn while Henry Tudor should also be in the shake-up.